Nanaimo, Parksville and Area

unprecedented case
'Awful, egregious:' Parksville child porn collector phoned police to turn himself in
Editors note: The following story contains descriptions of sexual crimes against children. Reader discretion is strongly advised. NANAIMO - Jail is a distinct possibility for a Parksville man who pleaded guilty to possessing over 1,300 images and 10 videos depicting the graphic sexual abuse of children. A joint submiss...
Jan 21, 2025
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David's Place
New publicly funded treatment centre in Nanaimo reaps early rewards
NANAIMO - A local residential treatment facility hasn't been around for long, but already one client appears to be on the right track. Island Crisis Care executive director Violet Hayes said their six-bed residential treatment centre known as David's Place Recovery Program has been in existence since late last summer. ...
Jan 21, 2025
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round two
Donald Trump won't hit Canada with tariffs on his first day in office: reports
Donald Trump has returned to the White House Monday with a massive agenda aimed at leading a deeply divided United States on a starkly different path - and the Republican leader has signalled he means to put some distance between the U.S. and its ally Canada. Canadians will be watching inauguration day ceremonies anxio...
Jan 20, 2025
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split focus
Saskatchewan Roughriders hire Andrew Harris as their running backs coach
REGINA - Andrew Harris is back in the CFL. The Saskatchewan Roughriders hired the league's all-time leading Canadian rusher as their running backs coach Monday. The move reunites Harris with Riders running back A.J. Ouellette. The two were teammates with the Toronto Argonauts in 2022-23, winning a Grey Cup their first ...
Jan 20, 2025
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recruit call
'See how our members train:' Parksville Fire Rescue targeting new recruits with open practice
PARKSVILLE - Those eyeing a chance to become a firefighter have a unique opportunity Monday evening. Parksville Fire Rescue is hosting its annual open practice session at their Fire Hall on Jensen Ave. beginning at 6:30 p.m. Assistant fire chief Steven Leidl said they encourage people to come down and see what skills a...
Jan 20, 2025
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rash of break-ins
'Eighty-five per cent of all crimes are drug related:' Nanaimo RCMP probe break-ins
NANAIMO - Thieves have been prowling Nanaimo's downtown area targeting several businesses, with at least a pair of reports resulting in on-site cash being stolen. Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O'Brien said since Christmas Day five downtown businesses have been broken into. "It's what we call a smash and grab, a crim...
Jan 19, 2025
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British Columbia

B.C. First Nation leader apologizes, walks back on Northern Gateway pipeline support
The president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs is apologizing and walking back comments suggesting he supported reviving the Northern Gateway pipeline project, and now says he doesn't support "resuscitating dead projects." In a statement released by the union, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip says the pipeline rej...
24m ago
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Fewer black bears killed by conservation officers in B.C. last year
VICTORIA - There were 303 black bears killed by conservation officers in British Columbia last year, a low not seen since predator statistics were first published online in 2011. The Conservation Officer Service says in a statement there were 603 black bears culled in 2023, and the drop last year represents a 49.7 per ...
31m ago
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CFIA says inspectors could be sent to Italy to investigate salmonella outbreak
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it's possible that investigators will be sent to Italy to determine the source of a salmonella outbreak that's sickened at least 61 people in Canada. On Saturday, the agency recalled an imported brand of Italian mini-pastries distributed at catered events, hospitals and retireme...
3h ago
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Nearly 500 B.C. residents received an organ transplant in 2024
VANCOUVER - Health authorities in British Columbia say nearly 500 people in the province received a life-saving organ transplant last year. The Provincial Health Services Authority, BC Transplant and the Ministry of Health say in a joint news release that 481 transplants in 2024 came from more than 200 donors. It says ...
3h ago
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Ottawa dragging its feet on protecting endangered caribou: B.C. conservation groups
Conservation groups in British Columbia say the federal government has dragged its feet for 10 years on fulfilling its duty to complete critical habitat mapping for endangered caribou herds, and without urgent action, the animals will disappear. A letter sent to Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault by Ecojustice on b...
6h ago
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B.C. union leader says 'high probability' of dispute in public sector contract talks
VICTORIA - Contract talks between the British Columbia government's unionized public sector workers start today with a union leader forecasting a difficult round of bargaining. B.C. General Employees' Union President Paul Finch says the contract for 34,000 provincial government workers expires March 31, but talks are s...
12h ago
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Canada

B.C. First Nation leader apologizes, walks back on Northern Gateway pipeline support
The president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs is apologizing and walking back comments suggesting he supported reviving the Northern Gateway pipeline project, and now says he doesn't support "resuscitating dead projects." In a statement released by the union, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip says the pipeline rej...
23m ago
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more contenders
Carney, Arya file paperwork, officially entering Liberal leadership race
OTTAWA - Liberal leadership candidates Mark Carney and Chandra Arya have submitted their paperwork to enter the race ahead of tomorrow's deadline. The two appear to be the first through that gate, submitting the required signatures and a $50,000 deposit. Candidates have until Thursday at 5 p.m. to get their deposit in,...
1h ago
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Trudeau to attend events marking the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will fly to Poland next week for events marking 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Trudeau's office says he'll be travelling Sunday to Tuesday and visiting the site of the Nazi regime's largest camp, where more than one million people were ...
1h ago
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Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan says he won't run in next election
OTTAWA - Another member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's front bench has decided to step away from federal politics at the next election. Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan says his name will not be on the ballot when the next election is held, though he says he will remain a dedicated member of the Libera...
2h ago
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Immigration minister says U.S. is still safe for refugees despite Trump's rhetoric
OTTAWA - Refugee advocacy groups are pushing back as the federal immigration minister says Ottawa still regards the U.S. as a safe country for transgender refugees under President Donald Trump. Trump signed executive orders on the first day of his new term to make recognizing gender based on biological characteristics ...
3h ago
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Premiers, prime minister meet to talk Trump tariffs after cabinet retreat
OTTAWA - Canada's premiers are meeting virtually with the prime minister today to talk about Donald Trump's early moves as president and the looming threat of tariffs. The first ministers have committed to weekly meetings now that Trump has been installed in the White House. Trump signed an executive order on Monday di...
3h ago
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